BALTI SPORTS 2

GILLINGHAM TOWN 1

BALTI Sports took a big step towards securing fourth place with a last-minute 2-1 victory over fifth-placed Gillingham Town in their Dorset Premier League battle at Weymouth College.

After a goalless first half in which both teams probed their opponents’ defences with numerous free-kicks and crosses, the match burst into life in the second period.

Balti midfielder Sean Zima, who has made a significant impact since re-joining the Weymouth-based side in mid-season, scored with a cross-come-shot to hand the hosts a slender advantage.

However, Gills cancelled that margin out when slack marking in the Balti box allowed a 12-yard free header from which Dan Cox equalised.

With time running out, Balti won a corner and Zima’s delivery was met with a bullet header from centre-back Phil Anderson as Sports collected all three points in dramatic style.

Marco Nott’s men are now stationed six points above Town in the table, although the Gills have two games in hand on the league’s fourth-placed team.

Speaking to Echosport after the win, Nott hailed the “manner” of Balti’s victory.

He said: “It’s a fantastic win, especially the manner of it getting a last-minute winner. It’s the best time to score and win the game.

“It was a really good game of football, a tight game. Both teams cancelled each other out but both wanted to win the game, so it was quite attacking. It was a good game in general to be involved in.”

Nott also remarked on the stark contrast of 12 months with last year seeing a huge slump in form compared to a strong run to fourth in the standings during the current campaign.

He said: “We look a lot more solid. We’ve got seven or eight captains going out on the pitch now and that goes a long way.

“We’re not a young side but we know how to win games if we’re not playing well.

“We’ve got a good spine in the team and our back four were outstanding (against Gillingham).

“Scott Walker, Phil, Liam Taylor and Ross Walker were absolutely outstanding. With me being in goal I could see that with my own eyes.”

Commenting on Anderson’s winner, Nott said: “Sean put another good cross in a Phil, with a fantastic header, got to the front post and put it in the back of the net. It was a great goal.”

Balti: M Nott, S Walker, L Taylor, Anderson, R Walker, Zima, Nichols, Kenderdine, McClements (Arliss 70), Dovell, Andrews (Houghton 85). Subs not used: Ings, Harding, Norman

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